Malinda Lynch and Amber Hall scored 13 points apiece for UW. Jan. 29, 1998 SEATTLE (AP) - Erica Gomez and her UCLA teammates shot to an early lead over No. 18 Washington and didn't look back. UCLA, which had lost six in a row against Washington, closed the first half with a 23-4 run en route to stunningly easy 80-59 upset Thursday night. "Once we're on a run, we're 10 times better and we just feed off the confidence," Gomez said. After taking a 42-20 lead at the break, the Bruins led by as many as 29 points in the second half and never fewer than 17. "Once you get a team down like that, it's hard for them to get up," UCLA coach Kathy Olivier said. Janae Hubbard scored 12 points and Melanie Pearson 11 for UCLA (11-6, 6-2 Pac-10), which also got 10 from Maylana Martin. The Bruins have won six of their last seven games. Malinda Lynch and Amber Hall scored 13 points apiece for Washington (12-5, 3-5) and Megan Franza added 10. Washington's Jamie Redd, the No. 2 scorer in the conference, fouled out with four points, her career worst. "Until you get into the Pac-10, you don't know what it's like," Redd said. "It's a whole other level. It's like going to war." Washington started the season 10-0, but has been in a freefall since conference play began. The Bruins shot 70.8 percent in the first half and 56.9 percent for the game. Washington shot a season-low 28.6 percent for the game. "We were getting really good shots and making everything," Gomez said. "It's a frustrating situation to not be able to put the ball through the hoop since that's what basketball is supposed to be about," Washington coach June Daugherty said. All 12 Bruins who saw action scored. Washington made only two baskets in the final 8:20 of the first half during the Bruins' decisive run. The Huskies' halftime total of 20 points was their lowest this season. |
